Namesake:
Admiral Marc A. Mitscher
USS MITSCHER
(DDG 57) is the second U.S. Navy warship to honor famed naval aviator
and World War II hero Admiral Marc A. Mitscher (1887 - 1947). Known to
his friends as "Pete", the Admiral is most famous for his exploits as
Commander of Task Force 58, a powerful combination of aircraft carriers
and other warships which wreaked havoc upon the Japanese in the Western
Pacific. Admiral Mitscher, a 1910 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy,
served his first six years in the Navy at sea on various surface ships
of the Pacific Fleet.
Volunteering for aviation training, Lieutenant Commander Mitscher
graduated from the Navy's first formal flight school at Pensacola,
Florida in 1916 and was designated Naval Aviator #33.
Several years later, in May 1919, Lieutenant Commander Mitscher was
awarded his first Navy Cross for his participation in the world's first
successful transatlantic flight with the "Nancys", piloting NC-1 of the
squadron's famous Curtis flying boats.
In October 1941, Captain Mitscher was selected to be the commissioning
CO of USS HORNET. Mitscher was promoted to Rear Admiral in February
1942 and led HORNET to the war in the Pacific. Under Mitscher's
command, HORNET served as the launching platform for Lieutenant Colonel
Jimmy Doolittle's infamous B-25 raid on Tokyo in April 1942.
Additionally, Mitscher's ship was one of the three U.S. aircraft
carriers that turned the tide of the war against Japan at Midway.
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Ship's Crest:
The combined
anchor and trident symbolize sea prowess and combat readiness. The life
preserver ringing the anchor commemorates Admiral Mitscher's compassion
for his crew as manifested through his relentless determination in
tracking down and recovering downed air crews. The three tines of the
trident represent the ship's significant capabilities in strike, air,
and subsurface warfare. The trident's position, rising above the crest,
symbolizes the ability to project power over great distances. The gold
wings represent Admiral Mitscher's service and dedication, throughout
his career, in advancing naval aviation and developing strike warfare.
Shield Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with
the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. Red is emblematic of
sacrifice and valor. The cross throughout the shield recalls the Navy
Cross Admiral Mitscher was awarded for his participation in the first
successful transatlantic air passage. The two stars above the cross
commemorate his awards of 2nd and 3rd Distinguished Service Medals and
his 2nd and 3rd awards of the Navy Cross for meritorious service during
operations in the Pacific during World War II. The armored gauntlet
represents the strength and survivability of the ship. The lightning
bolts symbolize energy and speed and the ability of the ship to conduct
multi-mission operations in any dimension. Admiral Mitscher was a
pioneer of strike warfare and a steadfast proponent of quick decisive
action. The gauntlet grasping the lightning bolts highlights USS
MITSCHER's motto "SEIZE THE DAY" - a motto which embodies Admiral
Mitscher's tenacious fighting spirit and dignifies DDG-57's legacy.
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